MICHELLE O'Neill rather misses the point by predicting the detrimental effects of Brexit on the agri-food industry here.

She suggests that border controls would be established on trade should the UK leave Europe and the Republic remain a member. Since no other member could afford to lose its biggest export market it follows that a free trade agreement between the Union and the UK would follow hot on the heels of the latter's exit. The effects on trade with the Republic would be negligible.

Another concern of the minister's was on what would replace the EU single farm payment. In the 2015 general election, Ukip committed to maintaining the payment on a UK basis and identified the source of funding for this from the savings resulting from ceasing EU contributions.